The problem of definition was made more complex by schism and disloyalty.

An important fraction of the Church could not accept at all the fact of William's kingship; and if the larger part submitted, it cannot be said to have been enthusiastic.
Nor did the Church make easy the situation of the Nonconformists.
Toleration of some kind was rapidly becoming inevitable; and with a Calvinist upon the throne persecution of, at any rate, the Presbyterians became finally impossible.

Yet the definition of what limits were to be set to toleration was far from easy.

The Church seemed like a fortress beleaguered when Nonjurors, Deists, Nonconformists, all alike assaulted her foundations.

To loosen her hold upon political privilege seemed to be akin to self-destruction.